Friday brief: Cobblers investigation accused due in court today

Plus some hope in the battle to save Fraser Park and Queensway residents hold community meeting after tragic teen murder

The six people accused of election donation offences as part of the Cobblers missing money investigation are due to appear at Northampton magistrates court this morning.

The court appearances are the first relating to the six-year-long criminal investigation by Northamptonshire Police into the disappearance of £10.25m loaned by Northampton Borough Council to Northampton Town FC to pay for the re-development of their East Stand.

The five men and one woman are charged in respect of offences, dating back to 2014, under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

The defendants are: Nutan Bhimjiyani, aged 60, and Sharad Bhimjiyani, aged 65, both of Headstone Lane, Harrow; Nirav Vinodray Sheth, aged 47, of Uppingham Avenue, Stanmore; Gary Platt, aged 65, of West Drive, Harrow; Alan Mayfield, aged 64, of Hill Farm Road, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross and Leonard Western, aged 71, of Holmside Rise, South Oxley, Watford.

The charge alleges they “without reasonable cause, being t…